Grain Foods Foundation Presents New Research to Congressional Hispanic Caucus

The Grain Foods Foundation, which represents members of the milling and baking industries, yesterday briefed members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on new research that addresses the relationship between acculturation and diet among Latinos in the U.S. Joining the Grain Foods Foundation were members of the March of Dimes, a long-time GFF partner, as well as representatives from the American Bakers Association and the North American Millers’ Association. Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD and co-author of the study which was published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, shared an analysis of the impact of food choices on overall health and nutrition.

Melendez-Klinger, who is also a member of the Grain Foods Foundation scientific advisory board, explained that the Hispanic community is more at risk for suffering the impacts of poor diets as compared to other racial/ethnic groups for a variety of reasons including food insecurity, lack of access to healthy foods and low socioeconomic status. Despite the fact that there are a greater percentage of Hispanics in the workforce as compared to other groups, the median income is substantially less in this group.

“The combination of cultural isolation which many Hispanics experience coupled with the fact that many parents are working multiple jobs equates to poor eating and exercise habits,” explained Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD and founder of Hispanic Food Communications. “These families have less time to prepare nutritious foods and may not have access to traditional foods.”

In addition to increased instances of diabetes, coronary heart disease and lactose maldigestion, the Hispanic community also has a greater likelihood of having a child born with a neural tube defect. The March of Dimes briefed the group on the lack of awareness for folic acid in the Hispanic community. Folic acid helps to prevent neural tube defects which are 50% more likely to occur in the Hispanic population.

The briefing comes at a time when Congress prepares to address major nutrition issues next year, including reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and review of the Dietary Guidelines.

“This is an important time to examine dietary issues unique to the Hispanic community,” Melendez-Klinger stressed. “It equally critical that we promote and provide solutions to the problem that include nutrition education in Spanish and programs directed in these at-risk communities.”

The Grain Foods Foundation and the March of Dimes have worked closely to develop communications tools to educate Hispanic women about the importance of folic acid, found in enriched grain products (such as white bread and buns, flour tortillas, crackers and pretzels), to preventing neural tube defects. In particular, the groups have created joint public service announcements in English and Spanish to reach women of child-bearing age.

“Our public service campaign has been tremendously successful in reaching women of child-bearing age,” noted Judi Adams, MS, RD and president of the Grain Foods Foundation. “It is critical that we continue our mission of educating consumers, particularly Hispanic women, about the importance of eating healthfully, which includes enriched grains – the primary source of folic acid in the American diet.”

About the Grain Foods Foundation
The Grain Foods Foundation, a joint venture of members of the milling and baking industries formed in 2004, is dedicated to advancing the public’s understanding of the beneficial role grain-based foods play in the human diet. Directed by a board of trustees, funding for the Foundation is provided through voluntary donations from private grain-based food companies and is supplemented by industry associations. For more information about the Grain Foods Foundation, visit www.grainpower.org . “

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